Danielle LaSusa 3/28/20 Danielle LaSusa 3/28/20

$10 Group Philosophical Coaching, In Response to COVID-19 dc

I've had a strong urge to do something to help during this COVID-19 crisis. I know that we all need someone who can hold us while we fall apart, especially when we're all trying to be strong for everyone else around us. Normally, my philosophical coaching is $135/session, but I've decided to offer group coaching for $10/session. These group coaching sessions are for:

YOU, if you feel burdened by major shifts in your day-to-day life, and want to figure out how to manage this long emergency

YOU, if you feel totally overwhelmed, and want to get some clarity and calm

YOU, if are concerned about the future of our communities, our nation, and our world, and want to see them protect, provide, and flourish

YOU, if you feel the weight of this existential threat, and want to gather with others to hold it with you

YOU, if you are unsure how to move forward, and want focus for next steps to help create a better future

I've had a strong urge to do something to help during this COVID-19 crisis. I know that we all need someone who can hold us while we fall apart, especially when we're all trying to be strong for everyone else around us. Normally, my Group Philosophical Coaching is $65/session, but I've decided to offer it for $10/session.

What is Philosophical Coaching?

Philosophy, which simply means "love of wisdom," is about purpose, identity, and seeing the world clearly. In Philosophical Coaching, I offer friendly and accessible conversation, compassionate listening, discerning questions, and concrete tools to help you navigate this current moment.

WHO is GROUP PHILOSOPHICAL COACHING FOR?

These group coaching sessions are for:

YOU, if you feel burdened by major shifts in your day-to-day life, and want to figure out how to manage this long emergency

YOU, if you feel totally overwhelmed, and want to get some clarity and calm

YOU, if are concerned about the future of our communities, our nation, and our world, and want to see them protect, provide, and flourish

YOU, if you feel the weight of this existential threat, and want to gather with others to hold it with you

YOU, if you are unsure how to move forward, and want focus for next steps to help create a better future

I'M LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE:

Maybe you feel like group coaching is intimidating or too vulnerable for you. That's ok. It’s hard to open up to strangers. Yet, in doing so, we find connection, community, and hope. I’m looking for people who are:

Scared, but brave: We're all scared right now. I know. I'm scared too. But anxiety and fear don't help us make good decisions, so you need to be willing to learn from these emotions, rather than run from them.

Willing to be a light in the storm: What we need now is leaders—people who offer guidance, comfort, and wisdom to their families, their colleagues, their neighbors, and their communities. I want you to be a leader for the people in your life.

Open, rather than cynical: Although things look bleak right now, I want you to at least hold the possibility that this public crisis—like all crises—is an opportunity for transformation, connection, and healing.

What will we do?

The Group Philosophical Coaching session will focus on how to transform fear, and see it as a gateway to compassion, tenderness, and beauty. I will give some background on the experience of fear and how we get trapped in the “fear cycle.”

Then, each person will have a chance to share current fears, concerns, and thoughts. (Each group is 2 hours and capped at 5 people, so there will be time for everyone.)

We'll then do a guided meditation to sit with your fear and let yourself fully feel it, relax into it, and see it as a manageable, and even a peak, human experience.

We'll end the meditation with a compassion/ loving-kindness practice that will help you feel more connected, confident, centered, and ready to respond to the world.

And it’s only 10 bucks.

When is it and how do I join?

Groups will be offered:

Weds. April 1, 10am-12pm PST

Sun. April 5 1pm-3pm PST

Tues. April 14 7pm-9pm PST

All group sessions will meet remotely via Zoom. When you register, I’ll send you the details. All new clients will be required to complete intake paperwork before the session begins. Limit one session per person. Available while supply lasts. First come, first served.

All new clients will be required to complete intake paperwork before the session begins. Limit one session per person. Available while supply lasts. First come, first served.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

If you don't currently want a session and/or would like to help support this effort and my continued ability to offer low-cost Philosophical Coaching, you are welcome to donate to my Scholarship Fund. (Note that for the next 30 days, that money will help support anyone who wants coaching; we're all in hardship right now).

donate

Danielle LaSusa Ph.D. is a Philosophical Coach . She helps new moms grapple with what it means to make a person. She is the co-creater and co-host of Think Hard podcast, which brings fun, accessible, philosophical thinking to the real world.

Danielle LaSusa 3/23/20 Danielle LaSusa 3/23/20

$10-$30 Philosophical Coaching, in response to COVID-19

UPDATE: Friday, 3/27/20, 10am PST

The $30 Individual Philosophical Coaching sessions are SOLD OUT. $10 Group Coaching sessions are still available. See below to learn more.

I've had a strong urge to do something to help during this COVID-19 crisis. I know that we all need someone who can hold us while we fall apart, especially when we're all trying to be strong for everyone else around us. We need to think through what this is doing to society, to relationships, to ourselves. Normally, my philosophical coaching is $135/session, but I've decided that, starting today, during the next 30 days, I'm offering individual coaching for $30/session and group coaching for $10/session.

During Group Sessions, we will discuss how to transform fear into a manageable, and even special, experience. Each person will have a chance to share current fears, concerns, and thoughts. We'll then do a guided meditation to sit with your fear and let yourself fully feel it, relax into it, and let it take you for a wild ride. We'll end the meditation with a compassion/ loving-kindness practice that will help you feel more connected, confident, centered, and ready to respond to the world.

You are invited to sign up! You can book your 55-minute individual session here or your spot in a 2-hour group session here.

The details:

All sessions will be online via Zoom.
For now, I'm offering 12 spots available for individual sessions, and 15 spots available for group sessions (3 groups x 5 spots/group). See available groups for dates and times.
Individual sessions must be scheduled to occur by Friday, April 24th.
New clients who sign up for a $10 or $30 session will forgo a 30-minute free consultation.
All new clients will be required to complete intake paperwork before the session begins.
Limit one session per person. Available while supply lasts.
First come, first served.

$30 Individual Sessions SOLD OUT

Book a $10 Group Session

How can you help?

Donate

Danielle LaSusa Ph.D. is a Philosophical Coach and Consultant. She helps new moms grapple with what it means to make a person. She is the co-creator and co-host of Think Hard podcast, which brings fun, accessible, philosophical thinking to the real world.

Danielle LaSusa 3/15/20 Danielle LaSusa 3/15/20

What to do with Coronavirus Fear: A Surprising Take

This is a scary time. In the midst of this coronavirus crisis, so many of us feel powerless, overwhelmed, and overcome by anxiety. We CAN weather this storm with our heads and hearts intact, (and it will pass eventually), if we learn to shift our relationship to fear.

What does that mean? It means that we must come to welcome this fear as a peak human experience. Yes, that's right. Peak.

What does that mean? It means that we must come to welcome this fear as a peak human experience. Yes, that’s right. Peak.

Ok, let me explain. There are TWO parts to fear:

1. The STORY of fear: This is your brain spinning tales of all the horrifying things that are happening, past, present, and future.

2. The FEELING of fear: This is the actual, physical, bodily sensations of fear: the throbbing pulse, the tight jaw, the numb face, etc. This can only be experienced right now, in your own body.

When you get stuck in the story of fear, you are trying to avoid the feeling of fear. Your brain is doing whatever it can to push away those intense sensations. Maybe, you believe, if you just think enough about it, you can solve the problem and the feeling will go away.

Of course, all it really does is make matters worse. You get more anxious. Nothing gets resolved.

The true solution here is to let yourself really feel fear. You need to merge with it, become it. Don’t just tolerate fear; give yourself over completely to it, without resistance. Go on the wild ride.

And it is a RIDE. Try it. Just stop, close your eyes, and let that fear in. Let it make you feel all light-headed, and heart poundy, and buzzy. Don’t be carried off to the story of fear, stay with the feeling, for just a few minutes. It’s a total rush.

Note, the goal here is not to make the fear go away. It is to let yourself truly experience one of the peak human emotions. This is why people go on roller coasters, and first dates, and downhill skiing. It is such a high.

It also just to happens that doing this will make you less resistant to the feeling of fear, and thus, less likely to get consumed in the story of fear.

You feel confident that you can sit with the worst of it. You feel like a badass. You feel less afraid.

That said, when the sensations get really intense, it’s often very tempting to jump back into the story of fear, but this time about your own body. You may tell yourself that your heart is thumping too loudly or your breathing is too fast, and then start to panic about it. Read: you spiral into an anxiety attack.

If this happens, try to remind yourself to relax into the sensations, to trust that the human body can only sustain the intensity of those sensations for a few minutes. It WILL pass. If you don’t throw tinder on the flames, they will subside.

If you still feel overwhelming panic, open your eyes, look around, and name the objects in front of you. What objects do you see? What colors are they? What materials are they? Describe your environment in as much detail as you can. This will help you stay out of the story of fear while also moving your attention away from the intense sensations.

Little by little, you can practice facing fear again. And as you do, you’ll feel a little more confident in your own ability to experience these feelings of full, exhilarating, human aliveness.

So, try it out. Rather that compulsively checking the news or Twitter again for the latest horrible details, take a few minutes to go on the wild fear ride!

Danielle LaSusa 1/16/20 Danielle LaSusa 1/16/20

15 Reasons to Join the Meaning of Motherhood Course

There are only four spots left for The Meaning of Motherhood, my 4-week course on the philosophy of motherhood. Registration closes January 27th! Here are 15 reasons to register now:

There are only four spots left for The Meaning of Motherhood, my 4-week course on the philosophy of motherhood. Registration closes January 27th! It’s going to be comforting, illuminating, empowering.

Don’t believe me? Here are 15 reasons to register now:

You’ll learn and discuss one of the most important and validating words for new mothers that I can almost guarantee you've never heard before. Want a clue?
You’ll sit in a circle where all of your many nuanced experiences of motherhood, including the breathtaking, the heart-breaking, the brain-bending, and the boring, are welcome, valued, and seen.
You’ll find solidarity with other badass mo-fo’s who think that the way that moms and motherhood is treated in this culture is irresponsible, dehumanizing, and well, totally f-ed. You’ll raise your powerful fists together.
You’ll write your motherhood manifesto—your version of authentic motherhood—with guided writing exercises and critical analysis of mainstream mommy messaging.
You’ll learn feminist theories of knowledge that value the unique understanding of this society, culture, and human experience, formed in the hands-on experiences of motherhood.
You’ll get access to an annotated Motherhood Reading and Resource list, complete with reviews of books, tv, podcasts, movies, comedy specials, and more, curated by me, a PhD in philosophy.
You’ll talk about birth, death, and meaning, with an existentialist philosopher! What does this have to do this motherhood? Just look.
You’ll expose the cultural mythologies around “good moms” and “bad moms.” For example, is it possible in our culture to be a “good mom”, if you’re poor, single, working, and a woman of color?
You’ll discuss the ethics of bringing a new human into a troubled world. Given climate change, politics, and the general suffering of being alive, is having a kid even the right thing to do? Does it matter?
You’ll share and receive the secret mom info that nobody tells you until it’s happening. I’m looking at you, special hospital underwear.
You’ll get at least two hours in the week when you feel a little less lonely, confused, and invisible. You’ll realize that this community has been waiting for you.
You’ll be treated like a person—not just a caretaker, not just “so-and-so’s mom,” or “future mom”—but a real live person who exists, and has thoughts, feelings, needs, and desires of your own. You’ll be encouraged to assert, and re-assert, your own personhood.
You’ll understand in new ways that so many of the challenges of motherhood in this culture are not a “you” problem, they’re a social problem. Knowing this, you’ll engage with them differently.
You’ll be guided through compassionate Metta meditation, in which you’ll be asked to tap into the loving kindness that you have for others and, even though it can be hard, for yourself.
You’ll join a tribe of thoughtful, brave, powerful people, who understand that motherhood touches the very being of being human.

NOTE: You do not need to identify as a mother to take this course. One of the best parts of the course is when mothers exchange wisdom with non-mothers. Also, this course recognizes that there are many paths to motherhood, many types of families, and many gender expressions that intersect with the identity of motherhood.

Learn More and Register

Have questions? Contact me. I hope to see you there.

Danielle LaSusa Ph.D. is a Philosophical Coach. She helps new moms grapple with what it means to make a person. She is the co-creater and co-host of Think Hard podcast, which brings fun, accessible, philosophical thinking to the real world.

Danielle LaSusa 10/17/19 Danielle LaSusa 10/17/19

'Think Hard' Episode #58: Mushy Consistency

Is consistency important? Should we have more allowance for nuance and evolution in our thoughts? What are the risks of remaining inconsistent or, conversely, of being too rigid in our thinking?

In Mushy Consistency, episode #58 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss having consistency in our ideas and beliefs. Take a listen!

Is consistency important? Should we have more allowance for nuance and evolution in our thoughts? What are the risks of remaining inconsistent or, conversely, of being too rigid in our thinking?

In Mushy Consistency, episode #58 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss having consistency in our ideas and beliefs. Take a listen!

Listen Here

Learn more about Think Hard, and listen to all our episodes at our website thinkhardpodcast.com, or find us on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. Follow us on Twitter, follow our Facebook page, and join our Facebook Community Group to connect with José Muñiz, Danielle LaSusa, and fans of the show.

Danielle LaSusa 10/2/19 Danielle LaSusa 10/2/19

'Think Hard' Episode #57: On Manifesting and Mirrors

Did Oprah get it right in The Secret? Is the Law of Attraction really the best way to understand the universe? Is it problematic?

In episode #57 of my podcast Think Hard, On Manifesting and Mirrors, Jeff Guenther LPC (creator of Therapy Den and the Portland Therapy Center) defends the Law of Attraction, which my co-host José and I lambasted in episode #37. Take a listen!

Did Oprah get it right in The Secret? Is the Law of Attraction really the best way to understand the universe? Is it problematic?

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 9/20/19 Danielle LaSusa 9/20/19

Revisiting 'Think Hard' Episode #37: Vision Bored

This week, we’re rebroadcastingVision Bored in preparation for an upcoming episode with a special guest, in which we’ll discuss what we got wrong.

In Vision Bored, episode #37 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss the Law of Attraction and how thoughts become things. Take a listen!

This week, we’re rebroadcastingVision Bored in preparation for an upcoming episode with a special guest, in which we’ll discuss what we got wrong.

In Vision Bored, episode #37 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss the Law of Attraction and how thoughts become things. Take a listen!

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 9/4/19 Danielle LaSusa 9/4/19

'Think Hard' Episode #56: Tolerating the Racist at Thanksgiving Dinner

Should you have an open mind when talking to someone who has an opinion that you find morally reprehensible?

In Tolerating the Racist at Thanksgiving Dinner, episode #56 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss how we should balance the desire to keep an open mind with the need to protect people from hate speech. This episode ties into episode #11: “Tolerating the Nazi Next Door.” Take a listen!

Should you have an open mind when talking to someone who has an opinion that you find morally reprehensible?

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 8/21/19 Danielle LaSusa 8/21/19

'Think Hard' Episode #55: Carjacking Today, Freedom Tomorrow?

Are you the same person that you were when you were six years old?

In Carjacking Today, Freedom Tomorrow?, episode #55 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss identity and how we change over time. Did Buddhism get it right with the idea of “no self,” or are we essentially the same person at every stage of life? Take a listen!

Are you the same person that you were when you were six years old?

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 8/7/19 Danielle LaSusa 8/7/19

'Think Hard' Episode #54: The Paradox of Bodily Fluids

Is prostitution immoral? How do we think about it, and how do we, as a society, regulate it?

In The Paradox of Bodily Fluids, episode #54 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss differing views on this very complicated topic. Take a listen!

Is prostitution immoral? How do we think about it, and how do we, as a society, regulate it?

In The Paradox of Bodily Fluids, episode #54 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss differing views on this very complicated topic. Take a listen!

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 7/24/19 Danielle LaSusa 7/24/19

'Think Hard' Episode #53: Both Sides Now

Have you ever been in a relationship that you’re not sure you should stay in? Sometimes it feels so good, and then the next day you have an argument and you think… “I gotta get out.” Sound familiar?

In Both Sides Now, episode #53 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss ambivalence and how we handle cognitive dissonance that occurs when we try to see multiple sides of any issue. Take a listen!

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 6/12/19 Danielle LaSusa 6/12/19

'Think Hard' Episode #52: Flip Flop

Why do we wear casual clothing? If we dress down for comfort, what is the root cause of our discomfort?

In Flip Flip, episode #51 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss casual clothing and the larger question of discomfort in our lives. Can sweatpants bring you comfort? Is it worth it, or do soft fabrics and cozy shoes mask a larger discomfort in our lives? Take a listen!

Why do we wear casual clothing? If we dress down for comfort, what is the root cause of our discomfort?

In Flip Flip, episode #52 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José and I discuss casual clothing and the larger question of discomfort in our lives. Can sweatpants bring you comfort? Is it worth it, or do soft fabrics and cozy shoes mask a larger discomfort in our lives? Take a listen!

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 6/5/19 Danielle LaSusa 6/5/19

'Think Hard' Episode #51: Buying Happiness

How do we make decisions about how to spend money? And, thinking more broadly, how do we use our limited resources to live “the good life”?

In episode #51: Buying Happiness of my podcast Think Hard, I ponder how to make decisions about how to spend money, which leads to the larger question of what constitutes the good life. What purchases will make us happy, and how do we know what to choose? My co-host José offers some budgeting wisdom. Take a listen!

How do we make decisions about how to spend money? And, thinking more broadly, how do we use our limited resources to live “the good life”?

Listen Here

Danielle LaSusa 1/4/19 Danielle LaSusa 1/4/19

What Does It Mean to Make a Person?

Creating a human may be the most profound thing we can ever do, and yet, this strange and philosophical question is largely absent in the cultural conversation around motherhood.

“We made a person.” Lucy stared at me incredulously, her blond hair a-wisp, her three-day-old baby nursing at her breast. We perched on her couch, as we might have done, sipping tea, chatting as old friends do—as we had done countless times, before she and her husband decided to…make a person.

Neither of us could quite understand it. What does it mean to make a person? And what did it mean now that Lucy was a mother?

The whole situation felt weird, just weird, as if she just gotten news that a wealthy relative had died, leaving her an elaborate estate on the far side of the moon. What could it possibly mean?

Creating a human may be the most profound thing we can ever do, and yet, this strange and philosophical question is largely absent in the cultural conversation around motherhood. Instead, we have endless debates about co-sleeping, baby-wearing, and breastfeeding, but the bare and haunting truth of a mother’s relationship to new human consciousness is lost beneath the noise of the world’s insistence that moms “get it right.”

So, I’m teaching a course called The Meaning of Motherhood at the Portland Underground Graduate School, which gives the mind-bending experience of creating a person the open, curious, honest reflection that it deserves.

This is the course for moms who aren’t sure what they think about babies. Here’s what to expect:

Week 1: The Birth of the Mother

In week 1, we’ll discuss the identity of motherhood and what it means to develop this new identity. What is lost, what is gained, and what does it mean to be a mother?

Week 2: A New Consciousness

In week 2, we’ll explore how this creation of life can raise bring up a deep sense of vulnerability, anxiety, and confusion about the meaning of mortality and human existence. Yeah, that’s right. We’re going to talk about death.

Week 3: Good Mom/Bad Mom

In week 3, we’ll explore, and challenge, some of the personal and cultural messages that we carry around that inform our judgments about what a good or bad mom is, and how these messages can impact the self-image and well-being of mothers.

Week 4: The Village

In week 4, we’ll explore the institutional and social supports, or lack thereof, in the form of family/maternity leave, child care, and norms around visitation, care, and community of motherhood. We’ll discuss ways that we may better support mothers, both at interpersonal and societal levels.

You’ll be able to commune with other moms, and grapple together with this strange new reality.

Thursdays, January 10, 17, 24, and 31st
7-9 pm in SE Portland, OR.

Can’t wait until class to jump in? Check out part of the homework for Week 1: Watch Alexandra Sacks’ TED talk, in which she argues to reclaim the term “matresence,” the period of hormonal, physical, and emotional changes that characterize the transition to motherhood as a real thing, like adolescence.

The course fee is on a sliding scale, starting at $99, and you can sign up now for even less.

If you want the time and space to wrap your head around what it means to make a person, come connect, reflect, and join us.

Want to learn more about my work as a Philosophical Coach for moms? Check out my page for moms and contact me to learn more.

Learn more

Danielle LaSusa Ph.D. is a Philosophical Coach and Consultant. She helps new moms grapple with what it means to make a person. She is the co-creater and co-host of Think Hard podcast, which brings fun, accessible, philosophical thinking to the real world.

Danielle LaSusa 10/30/18 Danielle LaSusa 10/30/18

What is Philosophical Coaching?

Would you trade your therapist for a philosophical coach? More and more people are discovering the benefits of conversations with philosophers to help them figure out their lives. It’s called Philosophical Coaching or Philosophical Counseling, and there are lots of good reasons that philosophy is an excellent foundation for counseling.

Would you trade your therapist for a Philosophical Coach? More and more people are discovering the benefits of conversations with philosophers to help them figure out their lives. It’s called Philosophical Coaching or Philosophical Counseling, and there are lots of good reasons that philosophy is an excellent foundation for counseling.

These two guys are thought to be Plato and Aristotle, from the Renaissance painting “School of Athens,” by Raphael.

Before psychology was its own discipline, and before psychotherapy was invented at the turn of the 20th century, if you wanted outside perspective in figuring out your life, you sought out a philosopher.

Philosophers are trained to think deeply at critically, and to engage in Socratic dialogue to help unpack conceptual problems. In other words, we’re really good at asking questions.

Additionally, philosophy has about 3000 years of human wisdom to draw from to explore issues in identity, truth, ethics, politics, and meaning. Who am I? How do I know? What should I do? What is right or just? What is the meaning of life? These are the questions that philosophers have been exploring for centuries.

And as someone who has a Ph.D. in philosophy, I’ve read an awful lot of what they have to say, and I’ve thought a lot about the strengths and weakness of various answers to these questions.

So, in episode #36 of my podcast Think Hard, my co-host José Muñiz and I talk about what Philosophical Coaching is and why it’s valuable. It’s called #36: What is Philosophical Coaching? and you can listen below:

Want to know more about Philosophical Coaching? Why not hear it from those who have benefitted. Here are some things my clients have had to say about Philosophical Coaching:

“It’s having your own personal guru whose knowledge isn’t pigeonholed to one set methodology or theory - the best of all the guru knowledge! Danielle was compassionately honest and helped me switch my perspective while bringing in great tools from varied philosophical perspectives. In just two sessions, my attitude around my work atmosphere has completely shifted!
”

— Hannah E., Program Coordinator

Here’s another:

“I didn’t quite know what to expect, and what I discovered is that I got out of it something I’d always hoped to — but hadn’t — gotten out of traditional talk therapy: someone able to take off the kid gloves and completely follow along as I outlined the shifting existential dilemmas that I often grapple with in my own head, recognize them as commonly occurring problems previously grappled with by many others, and offer angles and insights I had yet to get to on my own.”

— Jason G., Design Experience Director

And yet another:

“Having spent twenty years in traditional, analytical therapy with psychologist, I was interested in a different perspective. Danielle provided an open atmosphere for discussion about concerns and goals in my life. We didn’t stay hung up in the past, as often happens in therapy, but also didn’t disregard it. It is a good balance between reflection and evolution. I highly recommend!”

— Carrie C., Video Editor

Courage to Think. Courage to Love. Courage to Hope.

I've been thinking a lot about how much courage it takes to live with purpose. We must look inside ourselves, see our weaknesses, our faults, our failures, but we must also see our strengths, our talents, our dreams. We must have the courage to face ourselves.

Courage to Think. Courage to Love. Courage to Hope.

In the 2008 documentary, The Examined Life, philosopher Cornel West sits in the back of a cab on the fast streets of New York City, riffing, like a jazz player, about the virtues and depths of philosophy. His words are lyrical, prophetic, wise.

West considers the courage and discipline it takes to reflect philosophically, to question your life, your mind, your values. He says:

A philosopher is a lover of wisdom. It takes tremendous discipline, it takes tremendous courage to think for yourself, to examine yourself. The Socratic imperative of examining yourself requires courage. William Butler Yeats used to say that it takes more courage to examine the dark corners of your own soul than it does for a soldier to fight on the battlefield. Courage to think critically. Courage is the enabling virtue for any philosopher, for any human being I think in the end. Courage to think, courage to love, courage to hope.

We must have the courage to acknowledge that we want something, knowing all the while we may never get it, and the courage to go after it, knowing that we may fall short.

We must have the courage to say what we believe, knowing that we may be criticized, chastised, rejected, and the courage to recognize when we were wrong.

We must have the courage to take the one difficult step that will move us forward, rather than take all the easy steps that will keep us in place.

We must have the courage to face ourselves.

We need not do this work alone. If you would like a little boost of courage, I invite you to connect with me and let me be your guide. We'll develop your courage to look deeply at your inner life, so that you can live more courageously. Contact me by email or phone, join my mailing list, and connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Medium.

Danielle LaSusa Ph.D. is a Philosophical Coach and Consultan t, helping individuals and organizations think clearly, choose wisely, and live purposefully. She is the co-creater and co-host of Think Hard podcast, which brings fun, accessible, philosophical thinking to the real world.

Danielle LaSusa 7/17/18 Danielle LaSusa 7/17/18

This Workshop Helps You Read the News without Seething Rage

The state of the world these days is enough to make you want to scream curses at the sky, throw a molotov cocktail through some institutional windows, and then snuggle up to a bottle of tequila for the remainder of the evening.

The state of the world these days is enough to make you want to scream curses at the sky, throw a molotov cocktail through an institutional window, and then snuggle up to a bottle of tequila for the remainder of the evening.

Even if you don't follow through on these dark fantasies, walking around with them in your angry little heart doesn't go very far toward helping the situation. Frankly, it only makes you, and those around you, feel miserable.

Somewhere in your body, in the back corners of your mind, you know there has to be a better way—a way that condemns injustice and holds space for suffering, without being swallowed up by it. A way that acknowledges the harm that other people do, without hoping that they drown in their morning oatmeal. A way that restores your faith in humanity.

One of the world's most well-known political activists, the Dalai Lama, shows us a way to continue to work for justice with an attitude of connection, curiosity, and compassion, rather than rage and revenge.

Unpack and understand these Buddhist teachings about social action with me, a philosophical coach and professor of philosophy, and explore how to use them in your own life. Uncover your fundamental assumptions about human relationships, and connect with others in an intimate group setting at my workshop "Buddhism in Action," organized by Curious Soul Philosophy.

This workshop is part philosophy seminar, part group coaching session. In Part One: The Theory, we'll discuss the ideas and concepts, ask clarifying and challenging questions, and try to understand the teachings of openness, trust, and compassion.

In Part 2: The Lab, we'll reflect on our own lives, share where we feel resistance, and support each other as we experiment with making positive changes.

We can learn to engage with the world with with less anger and more trust and compassion. These small changes not only help ourselves, but can go a long way toward making positive changes in the world. I hope you join me in exploring how.

Learn More and Register

Danielle LaSusa 7/5/18 Danielle LaSusa 7/5/18

What To Do When Your Worldview Falls Apart

What do you do when everything you believe about the world crumbles to pieces around you? How do you rebuild a sense of hope, meaning, and truth? As a philosophy professor and coach, I've thought about these questions a lot, and I’ve learned some things. I gave a TEDx talk at TEDxPCC called, "What to do when you're worldview falls apart." Take a look.

What do you do when a fundamental belief about the world crumbles to pieces around you? How do you rebuild a sense of hope, meaning, and truth?

As a philosophy professor and coach, I've thought about these questions a lot, and I've learned some things. I gave a TEDx talk at TEDxPCC called, "What to do when you're worldview falls apart." Take a look.

What's been your big crash? If you have also struggled with a loss of faith in God, you may also be interested in my talk on how to have hope in a Godless world.

If your worldview seems to be cracking around at the edges and you feel as though you need help through the process, I invite you to connect with me for a free 30-minute Philosophical Coaching consultation. (Learn more about Philosophical Coaching here.) You can also join my mailing list, and connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Medium. Let's rebuild.

Danielle LaSusa 7/3/18 Danielle LaSusa 7/3/18

30 Delightful Conversations about Philosophy in the Real World

Philosophical questions about what is good, beautiful, right, and valuable are questions that all of us ask everyday. These 30 accessible, funny, thoughtful conversations cover everything from whether it is ethical to have children to why we should lament the decline of social dancing.

Philosophy ain't just for white-haired professors anymore.

Questions about what is good, beautiful, right, and valuable are questions that all of us ask everyday. Should I be "civil" to someone with intolerant beliefs and actions? How do we know what is true in the era of fake news? Is 10 Things I Hate About You the best teen movie ever made? Check out these 30 fun, accessible conversations about philosophy and everyday life.

All 30 conversations appear on Think Hard, the podcast where two trained philosophers think hard about the real world. My co-host José Muñiz and I created this podcast because we love philosophy and we believe that it lives in the everyday world.

We bring our philosophical perspectives, our curiosity, and of course, our good humor and witty banter to everything from political protests, to self-help books, to the merits of snobbery.

We've just released our 30th episode, so I'm taking this moment to give you a brief rundown of all of our conversations thus far.

If you don't know where to begin, episodes #9, #14, #25, and #26 are some of my favorites, full of laughter, honesty, and two people trying to figure out the world.

#1: I had a crumby trip because I'm a crumby person: Why do we desire to find authenticity when we travel?
#2 Stop Traffic...and You Die: What purpose do protests serve in the public arena?
#3: T-Shirt Feminism: Has the mainstreaming of feminism has sold it out to capitalist interests?
#4: Giving with Reason: Are there rational reasons for giving to those less fortunate?
#5: Lottery Players Lack Imagination: What happens in our mind when we think about whether or not to take a risk?
#6: White Girl Sings the Blues: Where is the line between cultural exchange and cultural appropriation?
#7: Death Rattles of Dance: Is social dancing on the decline? And if so, what do we lose if it dies?
#8: Where is the Pain?: Can meditation change the brain so much that we can cease to feel pain?
#9: In Defense of Snobs: Are snobs just obnoxious, self-righteous jerks, or do they contribute something of value to society?
#10: Help Yourself: Can philosophy make for better self-help?
#11: Tolerating the Nazi Next Door: Why should we value tolerance, and how do we treat those who are intolerant?
#12: Is Belief in God Morally Wrong?: Given all of the warfare and destruction in the name of God, is it morally wrong to hold this belief without sufficient evidence?
#13: Emotional Work for White People: Why is it so hard for white people to talk about racism?
#14: I’m Not a Masturbation Couch: Does sexual desire always or necessarily involve the dehumanizing objectification of others?
#15: All News is Fake News: With new technologies that have the ability to literally change what we see and hear through audio and video manipulation, how do we know that what we see or hear is true?
#16: Teen Movies will Save the World: Are The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and 10 Things I Hate About You, just silly teen movies or important cultural artifacts that show us how to view the world with complexity, nuance, and depth?
#17: From Happy Cow to Hopeful Child: Should we be teaching hopeful thinking as an integral part of teaching critical thinking?
#18: You, Me, and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones: What have we learned and loved in creating Think Hard?
#19: Feminist Friendship: Guest Cori Wong asks: How we can do better in bridging the gaps between white women and women of color in the “feminist movement"?
#20: When is Enough…Enough?: How do I know when to accept myself as I am and when to strive to improve myself?
#21: Borrowing Worry: Can all anxiety be understood as one or more of three basic fears, all of which are fundamental features of the human condition?
#22: We Got Options: What about polyamory provides opportunity for personal growth and development?
#23: Hope in a Godless World: For those who don’t believe in a benevolent, higher power, where do we look for hope and guidance when things are looking grim?
#24: The Real Thing: Why do we want to see the real, original piece of art?
#25: On Racist Jokes (Funny Ones): Is it ok to laugh at racist jokes? Does it matter who is telling the joke?
#26: My Baby, My Moral Mistake: Given over-population, the current environmental crisis, and the potential for a future full of hardship and suffering, is it ethical to have kids?
#27: Of Friends and Flatulence: Why is it so hard to make friends in adulthood?
#28: Our Patron Saint: Guest Jack Russell Weinstein considers: What do philosophers have to offer the public?
#29: The “I” in Us: How do we, as a society, tackle issues like climate change or global poverty when we see ourselves as fractured groups, each with its own concerns?
#30: Playing Chess with Yourself: Who are you, really, and how do you know if you’re being yourself?

What's your favorite episode? What topics have we not yet covered that you think we should? Post in the comments and let me know. And share this list with a friend, with your own recommendation for where they should begin!

Learn more about Think Hard, and give us feedback at our website thinkhardpodcast.com, or find us on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. Follow us on Twitter, follow our Facebook page, and join our Facebook Community Group to connect with José Muñiz, Danielle LaSusa, and fans of the show.

Danielle LaSusa 6/13/18 Danielle LaSusa 6/13/18

'Think Hard' Episode #29: The "I" in Us

How do we, as a society, take broad political action on issues like climate change or global poverty when we see ourselves as fractured groups, each with its own concerns?

In episode #29: The "I" in Us of my podcast Think Hard, I suggest that identity politics—organizing and motivating political action through features of your identity such as race, gender, class, nationality, religion, etc.—is insufficient for the type of collective action needed to solve some important global problems. My co-host José believes that all political action must necessarily begin with the interests, needs, and perspectives of identity. What do you think?

How do we, as a society, take broad political action on issues like climate change or global poverty when we see ourselves as fractured groups, each with its own concerns?